Know diabetes warning signs

Published 11:12 am Thursday, May 18, 2017

It is difficult to live with an ongoing illness such as cancer, diabetes or any other long-term illness. This is especially gut wrenching when it is a parent or child.

This past week, students at Ironton Elementary and Middle School held various events to raise funds and awareness for Juvenile Diabetes.

This is such a worthwhile cause, and we applaud the efforts of the school officials, parents and, most of all, the students who participated throughout the nine-days. The school is estimating that over $3,000 was raised.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation provides some eye-opening statistics as well as warning signs about Type 1 Diabetes (T1D):

• 1.25 million Americans are living with T1D including about 200,000 youth (less than 20 years old) and over a million adults (20 years old and older)

• 40,000 people are diagnosed each year in the U.S.

• 5 million people in the U.S. are expected to have T1D by 2050, including nearly 600,000 youth.

• Between 2001 and 2009 there was a 21% increase in the prevalence of T1D in people under age 20.

• T1D-associated annual healthcare costs $14 billion in the U.S.

• T1D is associated with an estimated loss of life-expectancy of up to 13 years

Warning signs of T1D may occur suddenly and can include:

• Extreme thirst

• Frequent urination

• Drowsiness or lethargy

• Increased appetite

• Sudden weight loss

• Sudden vision changes

• Sugar in the urine

• Fruity odor on the breath

• Heavy or labored breathing

• Stupor or unconsciousness.

Like so many illnesses we face, diabetes doesn’t only effect a certain age or gender. It is important that we continue to keep raising awareness. If events like this and so many other wonderful events we have in Lawrence County each year help save one life, it will be worth every effort.